The Business Class’s Double-Edged Hypocrisy is Killing the Economy And The Nation’s Democratic Soul
KEY POINTS
One needs only to look at history to understand the importance of solidarity between businesses and civil society. In other countries, when industries aligned with advocates for democracy and justice, the political landscape shifted. There are countless examples where businesses took a stand and forced reform. And these examples show that no matter how powerful, the political class must answer to a united front.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Supporting voices that speak out is not a radical idea; it is the backbone of democracy. Kenya’s economy has tremendous potential, but that potential will remain unrealized if the business class continues to sit on its hands. Every Kenyan shilling that funds a campaign to stifle voices calling for accountability is a nail in the coffin of economic growth.
It is a painful irony that the business class, who hold sway over the nation’s economy, are among the first to cry foul whenever a new, misguided policy emerges from the political sphere. They lament the government’s incompetence, lambasting policies that lead the economy astray, and yet, when given the chance to align with those who challenge power, they retreat. This self-preservation tactic is neither clever nor productive—it is self-destructive. A business community that turns its back on the advocates for good governance is, in essence, turning its back on its own future. Just as one cannot eat soup with a fork, no industry can thrive in a country where corruption and incompetence run unchecked.
This hypocrisy is one of the core reasons the political class holds the economy hostage. Business leaders dismiss those who demand accountability as “troublemakers” or “idealists,” distancing themselves to avoid political entanglement, yet complain bitterly about political meddling when it suits them. Imagine if they channeled half of their complaints into supporting those advocating for change. The result would be a political environment that takes economic development seriously, a nation where the rule of law protects markets instead of stifling them. But alas, the business community’s short-sightedness keeps democracy in chains, sacrificing long-term economic stability for a temporary sense of safety.
In truth, the business class fails to grasp the inherent power of collective voice. While they huddle in boardrooms bemoaning tax hikes and poor policies, they miss the chance to reshape policy landscapes by supporting voices that call for accountability. A proverb goes, “If you close your eyes to facts, you will learn through accidents.” When political incompetence sinks the economy and bleeds industries dry, it is the businesses who suffer first. Yet, instead of aligning with the voices of reason and reform, they take the safer route, accommodating the very forces they privately despise. Their silence is a co-conspirator in economic recession.
The hypocrisy becomes even starker when they deny opportunities to suppliers, business partners, and contractors brave enough to confront the government. Rather than applauding this courage, they penalize it. Such cowardice only emboldens the political class. After all, if the economic engines of the country are afraid to speak out, why would the political class feel any pressure to change? Businesses have forgotten that “a single stick may smoke, but it will not burn,” and their divided approach allows the political class to play them against each other, silencing potential dissent.
Read Also: What Money Hates And How To Avoid A Life Of Financial Ruin
If Kenyan business leaders truly understood their own interest, they would stand in solidarity with advocates of democracy and transparency. Without a democratic foundation, there is no real protection for private industry. By stifling these voices, they are digging their own graves. They fail to realize that a government accountable to its people, a government that enacts policies with foresight, would make their businesses flourish. Imagine a Kenya where a thriving economy and a government worthy of trust are not mutually exclusive. The business community holds that possibility in its hands but has tragically opted for blind allegiance over courage.
One needs only to look at history to understand the importance of solidarity between businesses and civil society. In other countries, when industries aligned with advocates for democracy and justice, the political landscape shifted. There are countless examples where businesses took a stand and forced reform. And these examples show that no matter how powerful, the political class must answer to a united front. Here, however, our business elites act like traders in a flooded market, each scrambling to save their own goods, even if it means losing the marketplace itself. They ignore the sage wisdom that “when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”—except this time, the business class is the grass, and their silence and cowardice are giving rise to more “elephants” of political impunity.
What’s most galling is that the cost of their hypocrisy is not merely economic. It corrodes the fabric of society, leaving younger generations to inherit a nation where corruption, inefficiency, and injustice are the norm. It poisons the nation’s ability to grow democratic values and institutions. Instead of inspiring future entrepreneurs to innovate and demand excellence, they set an example that silence and conformity are better than boldness and change. This is a disservice to all. “He who does not seize opportunity, will eventually lose his way,” and in Kenya, the business community is dangerously close to losing the way to progress.
Read Also: The Price of Dirty Money: How Kenya’s Real Estate Sector Is Fueled by Illicit Cash Flows
Supporting voices that speak out is not a radical idea; it is the backbone of democracy. Kenya’s economy has tremendous potential, but that potential will remain unrealized if the business class continues to sit on its hands. Every Kenyan shilling that funds a campaign to stifle voices calling for accountability is a nail in the coffin of economic growth. The business community must choose between an economy shackled by political tyranny or a thriving market driven by a government that respects enterprise. The choice should be clear, yet they fumble it each time, to the detriment of everyone.
If Kenyan businesses banded together with reform advocates, we would see the creation of policies that spur growth rather than stifle it. We would see the youth emboldened to innovate, inspired by a community that rewards courage, not cowardice. Our democratic space would expand, with accountability as its foundation, and the country would benefit as a whole. Instead, we find ourselves in a nation where businesses unwittingly endorse corruption by their silence, where companies are afraid to stand up for the very reforms that would secure their future.
It is time for the business class to break free from this hypocrisy, to stop playing the double game of denouncing poor governance in private while tolerating it in public. They must realize that if they stand with those who speak truth to power, they stand for the growth of democracy and the prosperity of Kenya. After all, “a tree cannot make a forest,” and their isolated efforts will never rival the collective power of a united front. Let the business community remember this: if they wish to thrive, they must align with those who demand excellence, for they too have a stake in Kenya’s future, and they cannot afford to let it slip into the hands of incompetence.
Read Also: How To Make Money In Kenya: A Crash Course On The Path to Political Prosperity
About Steve Biko Wafula
Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters. He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com
- January 2024 (238)
- February 2024 (227)
- March 2024 (190)
- April 2024 (133)
- May 2024 (157)
- June 2024 (145)
- July 2024 (136)
- August 2024 (154)
- September 2024 (212)
- October 2024 (255)
- November 2024 (97)
- January 2023 (182)
- February 2023 (203)
- March 2023 (322)
- April 2023 (298)
- May 2023 (268)
- June 2023 (214)
- July 2023 (212)
- August 2023 (257)
- September 2023 (237)
- October 2023 (264)
- November 2023 (286)
- December 2023 (177)
- January 2022 (293)
- February 2022 (329)
- March 2022 (358)
- April 2022 (292)
- May 2022 (271)
- June 2022 (232)
- July 2022 (278)
- August 2022 (253)
- September 2022 (246)
- October 2022 (196)
- November 2022 (232)
- December 2022 (167)
- January 2021 (182)
- February 2021 (227)
- March 2021 (325)
- April 2021 (259)
- May 2021 (285)
- June 2021 (272)
- July 2021 (277)
- August 2021 (232)
- September 2021 (271)
- October 2021 (305)
- November 2021 (364)
- December 2021 (249)
- January 2020 (272)
- February 2020 (310)
- March 2020 (390)
- April 2020 (321)
- May 2020 (335)
- June 2020 (327)
- July 2020 (333)
- August 2020 (276)
- September 2020 (214)
- October 2020 (233)
- November 2020 (242)
- December 2020 (187)
- January 2019 (251)
- February 2019 (215)
- March 2019 (283)
- April 2019 (254)
- May 2019 (269)
- June 2019 (249)
- July 2019 (335)
- August 2019 (293)
- September 2019 (306)
- October 2019 (313)
- November 2019 (362)
- December 2019 (318)
- January 2018 (291)
- February 2018 (213)
- March 2018 (275)
- April 2018 (223)
- May 2018 (235)
- June 2018 (176)
- July 2018 (256)
- August 2018 (247)
- September 2018 (255)
- October 2018 (282)
- November 2018 (282)
- December 2018 (184)
- January 2017 (183)
- February 2017 (194)
- March 2017 (207)
- April 2017 (104)
- May 2017 (169)
- June 2017 (205)
- July 2017 (189)
- August 2017 (195)
- September 2017 (186)
- October 2017 (235)
- November 2017 (253)
- December 2017 (266)
- January 2016 (164)
- February 2016 (165)
- March 2016 (189)
- April 2016 (143)
- May 2016 (245)
- June 2016 (182)
- July 2016 (271)
- August 2016 (247)
- September 2016 (233)
- October 2016 (191)
- November 2016 (243)
- December 2016 (153)
- January 2015 (1)
- February 2015 (4)
- March 2015 (164)
- April 2015 (107)
- May 2015 (116)
- June 2015 (119)
- July 2015 (145)
- August 2015 (157)
- September 2015 (186)
- October 2015 (169)
- November 2015 (173)
- December 2015 (205)
- March 2014 (2)
- March 2013 (10)
- June 2013 (1)
- March 2012 (7)
- April 2012 (15)
- May 2012 (1)
- July 2012 (1)
- August 2012 (4)
- October 2012 (2)
- November 2012 (2)
- December 2012 (1)